John MauriziExplorer

From the parking area, the trail travel west directly into the lava field.  This is evident by the sharp black rocks the trail travels through.  Watch for the first lava tube on the left.  All lava tubes have a steep short descent down in to explore a bit but the tubes are not deep and could be dangerous because of the sharp rocks. After a steep petrified dune view point on the left, the trail ...

Of course the main attraction at Preah Khan is the temples and sanctuary's.  There is amazing detail and numerous rooms to explore. They are beautiful and so much to see. But looking at the complex from the "outside" so to speak, gives a different perspective and great experience of this amazing temple.There is a well worn dirt path that encircles the complex from the outside of the surrounding...

This temple is of the "Mountain" style, meaning, it is built upward and is relatively a square layout. It has an outer wall and three tiers. The top tier has 5 towers, one tower at each corner and then one tower in the center.There are several other smaller towers around the complex as well.Pre Rup is very popular to watch the sunset. Many people go to the top to see the sun set on the horizon....

Pelkor Chode is the largest and main monastery in Gyantse. The entrance is unique as it is a walkway lined with prayer wheels on either side and leads directly to an extremely large prayer wheel that is housed inside a dedicated building and monitored by an attendant. To the left of this large prayer wheel is the main attraction, the Kumbum. This is a large three dimensional mandala which surro...

Hank's Pond loop can be accessed from the south at the corner of Clinton road and Van Orden road or from the north, parking at the lot on Stephens road.  I hiked from the south on this trip.  Follow the wide trail known as Hank's East trail marked with white blazes.  Soon you will reach a trail connected marked with blue blazes.  Along this connector are several short access trails to Hank's Po...

Just at the entrance to Mason Neck State Park is the Woodmarsh Trail. The entire loop is about 3 miles. This is a pleasant easy hike that is relatively flat with no rocks to speak of. The trail wanders through a forest and passes by a large swamp along the Potomac River. There is one well built observation platform along the way called Eagle Point. After this point the trail approaches the mars...

Hache Island, commonly known as “H” Island because of it’s shape, is only accessible through a tour with Tres Marias based in Ushuaia.  You should arrange your tour the day before you want to go although they do take last minute bookings if space is available.  They offer two option to the island, motorboat or sailboat.  Each time I’ve done this trip with them (2012 and 2018) I have gone on the...

This is a nice 1/2 day trip. La Fortuna falls is popular with tourist and locals, not just for viewing the falls but there is excellent swimming holes just below the fall and you can also swim right in the pool the falls fall into but the approach to that pool is very rocky and wet.  The falls are about 70 meters high and the sound it makes if deafening.  The hike to the falls is about one mile...

Take Rt. 10 east toward Benson and onto Cochise. Follow the sign to Pearce then to Sunsite. Take Ironwood Rd., Forest Rd. 84, for about 12 miles to the Stronghold Campground. Cochise Stronghold is about 1 hour from Tucson and well worth the drive. This is an out and back hike which makes for a long day hike. Guide books have it at 4.5 miles one way but it feels longer. From where I parked my c...

Ganden Monastery is one of the three major Buddhist university's in Tibet.  Many monks study here and there is no shortage of Tibetans making a pilgrimage to the monastery. Ganden sits on the side of a mountain, laid out is crescent shape.  This is the only Kora that I have done where the path leaves the immediate exterior wall of the monastery and ascends a mountain that overlooks the surround...

This loop starts from Vultee Arch Rd. Important to note that doing this loop from here requires a high clearance 4x4. In this direction, the trail starts off flat and crosses a dry creek bed several times. The trail is relatively easy to follow. This section passes through junipers that offer some shade. Eventually, the trail begins to climb exiting the creek bed and junipers. After about one m...

The Skippack Creek Trail in Evansburg State Park was one of my favorites on this most recent trip. Any chance I can hike a trail alongside a river, I take advantage of it. The trail starts on the south side of Skippack Creek at a parking area on Kratz Road. It was early in the morning and the weather could not be more perfect. Cool temperatures and not a single cloud in the sky all day. There ...

Rongbuk is the highest monastery in the world. It has quite a beautiful backdrop featuring Mount Everest. I did not have time to go inside. The cost to enter was 40rmb but you are permitted to wander around outside or do the Kora at no cost. The Kora is lined with Mani stones and stupas.  Several prayer wheels are near the entrance but not many more past that. The monastery sits at 16,300 feet ...

This is the recommended place to sleep when visiting Mount Everest from the North. There are many Yak wool tents, each has a unique name outside the entrance. It's very interesting to see. A few issues with any of the tents. If you need to go to the bathroom, all the "toilets" are behind the tents on the right (when face Everest). All the "hotels" have tables in front selling Tibetan items and ...

Kbal Spean is located about 50 Kilometers from Siem Reap and takes about one hour to get there by Tuk Tuk. This location is a series of carved Lingams in a river bed deep in the the jungle. Kbal Spean is known as "River of Thousand Lingams." Lingams are a phallic representation sacred to Brahmanism as symbols of fertility. There are hundreds of these carved in the river bed in various areas alo...

Tashilhunpo Monastery is the second most holy monastery in Tibet and home to the Panchen Lama (second seat to the Dalai Lama). I never had the time to walk the Tashilhunpo Kora during my first two visits to Tibet. Although I was in Shigatse (Tibetan spelling, Xigaze in Chinese), I never took the time. On my third visit I finally made the time. It's a wonderful Kora, long with Prayer wheels lini...

The white trail is the only true loop hike in the park. Strangely enough, it has no official trailhead. You can gain access to the trail from either Pavilion/picnic are #9 or Pavilion/picnic area #16. I chose picnic area #9 and hiked in a clockwise direction. This section starts very close to and follows Ridley Creek. You do have access to Ridley Creek for a short distance where there is a side...

Wat Rong Khun is better known as "The White Temple" and is one of the most recognizable temples in the world.  It state of the current temple is a modern rebuild of an older temple that was in disrepair.  The best time of day to photograph the temple is early morning, before other tourist arrive.  It also gives you the best chance to capture the temple a pond at the foreground of the templ...

There is two ways to access this loop hike.  The first is from the Englewood Picnic area just off Exit 1 from the Palisades Interstate Parkway.  Parking here requires a fee of $5 May through September. The second is to drive past the Englewood Picnic area turnoff on Henry Hudson Drive and continue until you reach the Undercliff Picnic Area.  I prefer the latter because of the free parking and s...

I think these tracks are the best in Moab. Take route 191 north out of Moab for about 13 miles (mile post 142). Klondike Bluff road is on the right. If you pass the airport, you went too far. This road is easily accessed with two wheel drive cars. The parking area is at the end where you will see a wired fence and gate. Beyond this is mountain biking and 4 wheeling. This is nice to hike as well...

Point Arena Lighthouse is situated on the piece of land that is the closest to the Hawaiian Islands from the continental United States. The lighthouse stands at 115 feet high and you are able to go to the top. I did not have time for this, unfortunately but definitely something I will take advantage of on my next visit. What I did make time for was to hike a short trail that flanked the lightho...

Neak Pean is not a temple. It was constructed as a place of healing. It was believed that soaking in the waters at Neak Pean would balance the individual and therefore cure their illnesses. The center tower is round but the water is divided into 4 quadrants representing Earth, Wind, Fire and Water.  Water fills the quadrants and steps all around Neak Pean lead into the water.  You can imagine t...

The easiest way to access this loop hike is by parking at the Palisades State Park Headquarters.  This is just off exit 2 from the Palisades Interstate Parkway.  Parking here is free and it is a short walk down a road to the Closter Dock Trail.  The Closter Dock Trail is more of a wide fire road but it is very steep and very rocky. It makes its way down the Palisades as it passes under a stone ...

This was the very first beach I found off the radar about 15 years ago.  Every year I travel to Costa Rica, I make a point to return to Barrigona.  While there are a few people, mostly locals, that go to this beach, many times I have been the only person here.  On several occasions I've found turtle track out of the water during the nesting season.The beach is crescent shaped with volcanic rock...